“Don’t you want someone smarter than me to be president?” the Divine Miss M asked a crowd at Krave Monday evening. Rather than belt out a few show tunes, Midler arrived at the gay nightclub in a conservative dress, followed a quick speech by U.S. Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nevada, and encouraged the more than 300 people in the club to vote for Obama.

“If [President Bush] was here right now, I’d grab him by the collar ... shake him and say, ‘What the hell is going on, George? The health-care system doesn’t work, the schools don’t work, the banks don’t work—the only thing still working is you.’”

The crowd—a divine mix itself including a statuesque drag queen in a corset and adorable waiters handing out cups of nuts (yes, nut cups)—was wildly responsive to Midler and her message, cheering and snapping endless photos.

“Every vote counts, so get on the phone and call your relations ... and the people you want to have relations with.” Midler cajoled. “This one matters.”